This Life Rocks

So I've got to say, one of my favorite photos of all time sits below this sentence.  

My best friends and biggest cheerleaders. 

We threw a party.  

It was all about adoption and helping to bring our Jayson home.  

These two party animals were just getting those legs stretched out for an intense night of dancing!

The event.

The last time I saw tulle draped in an area like this was a gymnasium in Granger, Ia 2004.

And 13 years later we were here with tulle on the ceiling working to bring our 5th baby home.

And this woman busted her butt to help pull off the event... the silent auction, the food, invitations, the details which could have been so easily overlooked.  

Thank God for her heart.

And then we had party animals in the back of the house.

A few of my favorite people in the entire world couldn't help bust

a move..

Dad doing his signature move with Heather on the Air Guittar.

We've got to get ourselves to a wedding reception dance asap!

My China Mom team.  

Not to be messed with.

Still boogien'

Holy Crap.

Life is Good.

Day 1!

After a week of me attending teacher trainings, these gorgeous creatures of mine returned to school Wednesday.

2 hands to show his grade this year.

Apparently this '6' in Chinese?

He doesn't hide being chilly well.

And how did the boy I just met last year grow as tall as me!?

Where I'll be hangin' "full time" for the next 9 months.

Welcome to Cafe 35!

And new directions in each kitchen for the rugrats.

We'll see.

Back to School and Sushi

As I sit here the Sunday before school starts, next to Goose who has a raunchy case of pork farts, I scroll through the photos on my phone and decide it's best to post now.

For starters, during one day this summer, the girls got bored in my classroom.  They asked it they could get out the big box of letters and bulletin board border to decorate my door.

Why of course!

It wasn't until the High School English teacher commented on the appearance of my door (when it was open), that I realized it needed a little adjustment. 

One day I came home from work to this.

I kinda think the Kum and Go cup just tops it off.

And apparently I'm bored because I figured 'why not learn to make sushi right now?'

It all starts with the rice. 

Sushi rice to be exact.

After it's cooked, yet while it's warm, rice wine vinegar gets splashed in along with salt and black pepper. 

Then it cools to room temperature.  

Meanwhile, I thought 'what the hay, lets go all out and make Ross' favorite cream cheese wontons.'

You start with wonton wrappers.  Combine cream cheese with salt and sugar.  Place a bit in the center, wet the edges and seal tight.  Then they are fried in oil.  After being fried, you cool and freeze before baking before use. 

Winner winner chicken dinner!

So back to the sushi.  You've got to get these seaweed wrappers.  They smell like ocean, but not the Bath and Body works or laundry soap version.

Shiny side down onto a sushi mat they go.

From there you add two scoops of rice and spread it on the seaweed. 

Top with fillings.  I used crab, salmon, tuna, cucumber and carrot.  All julliened of course.

Then you roll up very tightly.  Kinda squeezing as you roll.

You're left with a log. Wrap and chill.

How awesome is that?!